My van does not have the same power and torque it used to have. Does the carburator need an overhaul?

[RickyE]

I have a 1998 Mitsubishi minivan 2000cc gas engine. Up to last year it could easily accelerate up to 180 km/hr. Now the best it can do is 140 km/hr and it has a hard time climbing small hills. One mechanic said the clutch needed to be changed. I did that and it didn't improve the power. Another mechanic said the carburator needs an overhaul because the secondary jet is probably clogged up. He told me that after he tuned-up the engine (changed spark plugs, adjusted timing, etc.)I noticed the muffler is not as quiet as it used to be. Is it possible the tailpipe is clogged up? I want to make sure the next repair will give me the right results. What do you think is the problem?

[MechBob]

Aside from the fact that you didn't say what kind of mileage you have on the odometer,  I'm  looking at a 10 year old vehicle that has a little 2000cc motor in it that has been pushed to 180kph on at least several occasions.

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I'm impressed it hasn't given up the ghost before this.

These minivans are not American trucks with their big, lazy engines.   Minivans have little engines that do a lot of work and buzzing along at 180kph , which I think is over 110 mph, is really hard on them.  Come to think of it, 110mph is hard on anything!

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If you had a good tune-up and the engine starts and runs well, then by all means do the exhaust,   at least your minivan will be a quiet speeder!

But check out your tire's air pressure and make sure they are all the same.  

Make sure your brakes aren't dragging,  especially your parking brake.

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The carb, if it has a lot of miles on it, may just be due for some major work.    Rebuilding it might cost more then replacing it.  

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[Kiffin]

Could be any number of things.  First and foremost, have a compression check done to ensure the engine is functioning properly (all rings are sealing and valve train is not damaged).  Second, check the tailpipe and muffler for kinks, bends or obstructions.  Third, check the fuel and air filters and have the fuel pump checked as well.



Then, and only then, try rebuilding the carburetor (or putting a rebuilt on).